Money the real reason for housing office closure

Date published: 13/05/2008

Following the news reported on Rochdale Online that Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) has decided not to move the local housing office back to Smallbridge library (it was relocated to Belshillduring recent refurbishments), Councillor Jean Ashworth has expressed her concern, she said: "With regards to only one resident attending the surgery at the local Tenants & residents Association at Smallbridge, could that be anything to do with the fact it was not advertised either on Rochdale Online or in the local newspaper? Only a billboard outside the premises stated there was a housing surgery on the day!

"It is a fact that before this office was moved to Belshill, because of the refurbishment of the Library at Smallbridge, 60 people attended the housing office on Stevenson Square during the two days it was open proving there is a definite need for this office to return to Smallbridge and be located in the Library - the two services compliment each other.

"Tenants needs in the Smallbridge area are face-to-face contact, they need to be able to speak direct to a housing officer.

"RBH is trying to save money from closing offices; I think individual areas and needs should be considered above saving money!

"It is all very well saying there will be housing surgeries at the Tenants & Residents Association, home visits, accessible by free phone service; if that is right then why did 60 people in two days still feel it was necessary to call in to talk to the housing officials face-to-face?

"Stevenson Square suffered a huge blow when we lost our post office it has almost become a ghost town area and businesses have been forced to close because of lack of visitors now coming onto the square. To now not bring back our housing office will most certainly be another huge loss in this area, and surely 30 people a day is a statement on it’s own!

"This is supposed to be a consultation period yet reading this report the decision seems to already have been made, which is not a fair consultation and an issue that concerns me."